The Guitar in Popular Music returns to AC[M] for a second year

The guitar took centre stage in July as the second annual Guitar in Popular Music International Conference brought researchers, performers and postgraduate scholars together across two venues. Co-hosted by Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) and the Academy of Contemporary Music, in collaboration with the International Guitar Research Centre at the University of Surrey, the event has quickly established itself as a fixture in the research calendar.

Building on the inaugural 2025 conference, this year’s edition drew a markedly larger audience. More than 100 delegates attended in person across the two days, joined by a global online audience following the live-streamed programme. Presenters came from institutions across the UK, Australia, Germany, Greece and the United States, reflecting the growing international reach of both the conference and ACM’s research activity.

A year for Hendrix

The 2026 programme took on added resonance as the year marks 60 years since Jimi Hendrix first performed in the UK. The call for proposals welcomed papers on his legacy and lecture-recitals reinterpreting his work. The keynote, delivered by Professor Milton Mermikides (University of Surrey and Gresham College), was titled I Just Want to Talk to You: The Musical Language of Jimi Hendrix. It examined the psychological, neurological, linguistic and zygonic mechanisms behind Hendrix’s expressive language, from vocal imitation and fretboard navigation to time-feel, harmony and technological transformation. 

Research you could hear

One of the conference’s distinguishing features was its blend of formats. Traditional academic papers sat alongside lecture-recitals, in which presenters demonstrated their ideas live on the instrument. Delegates could move between close analytical argument and the sound of the guitar itself, an approach that suited a subject best understood by ear as well as on the page.

Stand out presentations were delivered by Dr. Greg Stott (Australian National University), a specialist in jazz and contemporary guitar, who presented a lecture-recital that considered the application of drum rudiments and pedagogies to guitar technique; and Dr. Simone Wagner (University of Performing Arts, Munich), who presented a paper that offered deeper insights into the unique guitar style of Ritchie Blackmore. 

The wider programme spanned musicology, popular music studies, cultural studies and creative practice research, with themes ranging from guitar technique and tonal improvisation to guitar design, technology and culture. Abstracts were selected through a peer review process by a panel chaired by Dr James Dean (CCCU), with Professor Rich Perks (AC[M]) as Deputy Chair.

What comes next?

New relationships have already formed between AC[M] academics and colleagues at partner universities, and several presenters have expressed interest in future joint publications, conference participation and funding applications. James and Rich are already planning next year’s iteration – see you there!

Video Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qgFMLWdHnjHwzLaebV6lTleB6c-tHMMr/view?usp=drive_link

Images & Captions:

Photo: Dr. Greg Stott (Australia Nation University), demonstrating innovative guitar techniques.

Photo: Arran McSporran (AC[M), discussing new bass guitar pedagogies

Photo: Dr. Kate Lewis (Brune University London), discussing gender roles across guitar cultures.